Prevalence of HBsAg positive among non- immunized junior high school students in Bandung

Abstract

Background Sero-epidemiologic survey of hepatitis B is used to
determine the prevalence of hepatitis B infection in community,
particularly among population which has not been covered by
hepatitis B immunization program.
Objective To determine the prevalence of HBsAg positive among
junior high school’s students in Bandung.
Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on junior high school
(SMP) students. Subjects were selected randomly using stratified
cluster sampling of 4 junior high schools in Bandung. The inclusion
criteria were students of first and second grade, lived in Bandung
area, without history of hepatitis B immunization. Subjects were
interviewed and were screened for HBsAg using Reverse Passive
Hemagglutination technique.
Results There were 341 subjects consisted of 201 girls and 140
boys. None of the subjects had any sexual intercourse or intravenous
drugs, while 261 subjects (76.5%) had shared personal care. History
of blood transfusion was found in 13 subjects (3.8%), tattooing in
2 (3.8%), body piercing in 28 (8.2%), and contact with chronic
liver disease patients in 16 (4.7%). Based on HBsAg serologic test,
3 subjects (2 boys and 1 girl) were found to be positive, thus HBsAg
positive prevalence was 0.9% (95%CI -0.001;0.019). Two of them
had shared personal care with their relatives or friends. None of
them had tattoo, body pierce, blood transfusion, or contact with
chronic liver disease patients. Their physical condition were within
normal limit. One of them refused to do further laboratory tests
because no permission from his parents. Liver function of those
students were normal, anti-HBc IgM were negative, and total anti-
HBc were positive in two of them.
Conclusion The prevalence of HBsAg positive in junior high
school students in Bandung is low and there is no obvious risk
factor for the transmission of the disease.